Container partitioning device



Feb. 7, 19% F. c. STEINHAUER 2,495,964

CONTAINER PARTITIONING DEVICE Filed June 11, 1947 2 Shets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

FRANK C. STEINHAUER A 'l'TORNE Y Feb. 7, 1950 F. c. STEINHAUER 2,496,954

CONTAINER PARTITIONING DEVICE Filed June 11, 194'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 6. Fig.

mm IF W 21 MW 23 INVENTOR.

FRANK STE/NH UEH A T TORNEY Patented Feb. 7, 1950 Frank C. Steinhauer, Decatur, Ga. Application June 11 1947, Serial No. 753,844

2 Claims. (Cl. Z20--22) This invention relates to a container partitioning device for use with various types of vessels, such as cooking utensils and the like, and is designed to separate the space within the vessel into a plurality of compartments.

An object of my invention is to provide a con-' tainer partitioning device which is simple in construction, efiicient in operation and easy to clean.

Another object of my invention is to provide a container partitioning device which is cheap and easy to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a partitioning device for use in vessels having constricted openings. e

Another object of my invention is to provide, a partitioning device which may be used in a vessel having either a constricted opening or a vessel having an opening which is not constricted.

Another object of my invention is to provide a three or a four compartment container partitioning device which is comprised of only two separable parts. Y

A further object of my invention is to provide a partitioning device which may be assembled inside a vessel having a constricted opening.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is prospective view of the three compartment container partitioning device.

Fig. 2 shows the three compartment partitioning device being placed in a cooking utensil with constricted top opening.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the bottom section of a three compartment container partitioning device.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the top section of a. three compartment container partitioning device.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing a four compartment partitioning device in a vessel.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the bottom section of a four compartment container partitioning device.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the top section of a four compartment container partitioning device.

According to my invention, the three compartment partitioning device shown in Fig. 1, is comprised of two sheet members or plates I I and I2. The plate II has a slot 13 approximately midway between its ends, and said slot extends downwardly from the upper edge of the plate ll apwidth of the slot I3 is the same or slightly greater proximately to the center of said plate. The 86 than the thickness of the plate I2. The plate II is bent so that the ends thereof diverge from the slot I3 at an angle of approximately degreesf Plate I2 is provided at one end with a downwardly turned, overhanging lip portion I4 which is undercut by slot I5 which extends approxi-I. mately half-way up from the bottom of plate I2. The overhanging lip portion I4 terminates at a point I6 which lies in a plane approximately of the distancefrom the bottom of the plate I 3 to the top of. the slot I5. The Width of the slot I5 at the top thereof is the same or slightly greater than the thickness of the plate II, and the lip portion I4 is so shaped that this width of the slot I5 is maintained for a length approximately of the distance from the top of the slot to the bot-' tom of the plate I2; thereafter, the lip portion is tapered to the point I 6 so as to form a divergent or flaring wall for the slot I5.

Plate I2 is fastened to plate I I by being inserted into slot I3 and moved downwardly so that plate II isheld in slot I5, as shown in Fig. 1.

The flaring portion of slot I5 provided by the tapered end of lip portion I4 enables my partitioning device to be used in vessels such as the utensil I1, shown in Fig. 2, in which the opening is con-. stricted as shown at I8. The plate II is first placed in position in the vessel, and the plate I2 is then inserted at an angle, as shown in Fig. 2, and swung down into the position of use wherein it fits snugly against the side of the vessel, as

shown in broken lines in this figure of the draw-y ings.

It is understood, of course, that the number and arrangement of the plates II and I2 may be modified to divide the container into a different number of compartments of the same or different volumetric content. For example, plate II can be used alone, if desired; or plate II may be bent so that it ends diverge at an angle other than 120 degrees or plate II may be flat; or the slot I3 need not be placed approximately midway between the ends of plate I I; and the width of plate I2 can be varied to fit various combinations and arrangements. 1

Fig. 5 shows a four compartment partitioning device in a pressure cooker I9. According to my invention, the four compartment partitioning device is comprised of two sheet members or plates 20 and 2|. The plate member 20 is constructed similarly to the plate member II in the three compartment partitioning device except that it is flat and not bent as is the plate I I. The plate 20 has a slot 22 approximately midway between The slots 22 and 23 are so arranged in respect to the plates and 2| that the unslottedportion of plate 2| will fit snugly into the slot 22 'toits full height, and the unslotted portionpitheplate 20 will fit snugly into slot 23 to its iull height. As a result, the intermeshed assembly ofthe plates will have the same height as either plate individually.

I As shown, both of the plates 2]] .and .21 are .of the same height and contour, being .particularly 4 downwardly from its upper edge, said plate being bent along the axis of said slot so that the ends of the plate diverge therefrom at an angle of approximately 120 degrees, another of said plates having an overhanging lip portion extending downwardly from its upper edge but terminating short of the bottom edge of the plate of which it is a part and forming a. slot between the inner edge thereof and the adjacent edge of the re-- mainder of said plate, the .said adjacent edge being straight, the inner edge of said lip portion being substantially parallel with said adjacent edge near the upper end of the slot formed there- "by and diverging from said adjacent edge near ithe openlower end of said slot whereby said slot is made wider at its open lower end and permits 3 the plates to be assembled at an angle to each adapted to the interior contour of the cooker I9,

and bothslots 22 and 23 are along the centerlines ofthe plates 20 and 2|, respectively. If desired, however, depending upon the shape of the .container and governed by'the character of the subcompartments to be obtained, the contour of the plates 2.0 and 2| may differ from each other and the slots 22 and 23 may be placed .at other positions than along the center lines.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the partitioning device of the present invention may be readily shipped and stored in knocked down condition, in which condition it will occupy but little space. devices are needed they can be readily assembled in a minimum of time and without use of any tools whatsoever.

According tomy invention, the top and bottom edges, as well as the sides of the partitioning plates conform to the contours o'fth e container with which they are to be utilized 'so that each 'subcompartment 'is snugly closed along all walls thereof.

It is obvious that many modifications'mightbe made, and it is there'foreintended that the scope, of my invention'be limited 'only 'by the scope of *the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A partitioning device, to be utilized in connection with a "receptacle having a constricted opening, comprising aplurality of cooperating plates,-one of said plates having a slot extending At any time 'when the'partitioning otherand then interlocked in place inside the receptacle with which they are utilized.

2. 1A partitioning device, to be utilized in connection with a receptacle having a constricted opening, comprising a plurality of cooperating plates, one Qfsaid plates having a slot extending downwardly from its upper edges, another of said plates having an overhanging lip .portion extending downwardly from its upper edge but terminating short of the bottom edge .of .the plate of which it is a part and forming aslotbetween the inner edge thereof and the adjacent edge of the remainder of said plate, the said adjacent edge being straight, the inner edge of said lip portion being substantially parallel with said adjacent edge near the upper end of the slot formed thereby and diverging .from said adjacent edge near the openlower end of said slot whereby said slot is made wider at its open lower end and permits the plates to be assembled at an angle to each other and theninterlocked in place inside the receptacle with which they are utilized.

FRANK C. STEINHAUER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 3%;839 Grosz Sept. 7, 1886 1,538,106 Gaylord May 19, 1925 1,754,812 Zacharias Apr. 15, 1930 1,791,889 Duncan Feb. 10, 1931 2,016,488 Eckhaus Oct. 8,1935 

